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emancipation day celebration '25

Emancipation Day Celebration

Join us on August 9th at Aurora Town Square for 11am ET for the festivities
August 9 | 11am - 2pm

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Aurora Town Square

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Panelists | Refreshments

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emancipation day celebration '25

Join Us on August 9th @ Aurora Town Square, 11.00 am ET

Emancipation Day Announcement & Acknowledgement!

Following the House of Commons' unanimous vote to designate August 1st as Emancipation Day across Canada, we once again take this time to celebrate, educate, and reflect on what freedom means. A day that recognizes the contributions people of African & Caribbean descent have made and continue to make in Canada.
emancipation day | august 9th

Order of Events

Join this riveting list of panelists reimbarking on Emancipation Day

11:00 AM

Opening Proclamation Ceremony

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12:00 PM

Panel Discussion: “What Emancipation Day Means Today”

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1:00 PM

Community Lunch & Networking Session

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2:00 PM

Wrap & Exit Aurora Town Square

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emancipation day 2025

Speakers & Event Champions

We have carefully selected a group of Champions to help guide our Emancipation Day celebration. Join us to hear and connect with your Speakers.

Milton Hart

Chair; Aurora Black Caucus

Michael Corniffe

Vice Chair; Aurora Black Caucus

George Harper Sr.

Board Member; Aurora Black Caucus

Ron Kellman

Board Member; Aurora Black Caucus

Benito Palomino

Treasurer; Aurora Black Caucus

Matthew Hart

Aurora-Newmarket Youth Director

Sandra Cobena

Member of Parliament, Newmarket-Aurora

Hon. Michael Parsa

MPP & Minister of Children, Community and Social Services

Dawn Gallagher-Murphy

MPP Aurora/Newmarket

Mayor Tom Mrakas

Mayor of Aurora, ON

Marie Green

PhD/OCT, University of Toronto

Jerisha Grant-Hall

Chair, NACCA Newmarket

Phiona Durrant

Chair, Aurora Black Community

Jaylah A. Hall

Volcalist | Canadian & Black National Anthems
Event Agenda

Emancipation Day Celebration

Aurora Town Square 🕚 Saturday, August 9, 2025 | 11:00 AM - 2:00 PM
11:00 AM - Opening Proclamation Ceremony
Objective: To formally recognize Emancipation Day and set a reflective tone for the event.

● Welcome Messages– Emcee's and ABC Board; Ron Kellman and George Harper

● Opening Remarks – ABC Chair, Milton Hart

● Message from Queens Park - Dawn Gallagher Murphy, Member of Provincial Parliament

● Land Acknowledgement – Delivered by Indigenous Representative

● Proclamation Reading – Mayor Tom Mrakas

● Musical Interlude – National Anthem


12:00 PM - Panel Discussion: "What Emancipation Day Means Today"
Theme: Exploring emancipation through modern perspectives of equity and empowerment.

Panel Structure:

● Introduction of Panelists & Moderator

● Moderated Discussion (Topics and Subject-matter expert):

○ Education: Representation, access, inclusive curriculum - Marie Green

○ Leadership: Civic and corporate Black leadership - Sandra Cobena, Member of Parliament

○ Security: Two panelists from York Regional Police

○ Audience Q&A – Facilitated by Moderator

○ Closing Reflections – Summary remarks from panelists

○ Thanks and Acknowledgement - ABC Vice Chair, Michael Corniffe


1:00 PM - Community Lunch & Networking Session

● Enjoy culturally inspired dishes, engaging conversation, and light entertainment—all in the spirit of unity and celebration.

● This event is free and open to all. We encourage families, students, local organizations, and allies to attend and lend your voices to this vibrant tribute to freedom, heritage, and hope.

Thankful to our Partners & Sponsors

We are deeply grateful for the invaluable guidance, unwavering support, and generous contributions from our Partners and Sponsors

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